Chapman, Victor

Victor was born on 12 January 1895 at Ashwell, Hertfordshire, the eldest son of George and Julia (nee Lee) Chapman. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.

Victor enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery on 12 September 1915 and was sent to the Western Front, France on 20 September 1915. During his service he suffered from malarial fever. Victor survived the War.

He was awarded the 1915 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour.

The 1911 census shows Victor as a farm labourer. He was a member of the Snowdrop Minstrels in Ashwell before the War.

On 4 July 1914 Victor married Fanny Jeeves. They had one son, Victor Roy born on 15 November 1920. Victor Roy was also a gunner with the Royal Field Artillery in WWII and died in Singapore in 1944.

The 1939 census shows them living in Letchworth, Victor a gardener and ambulance driver. Victor died in Letchworth on 5 April 1945. He is buried in the Icknield Way Cemetery, Letchworth.

Victor’s brother, Sidney served with the Bedfordshire Regiment in France and survived the War.

Royston Crow 19 July 1914 Wedding at St Mary’s, Mr Victor Chapman – an old Snowdrop Minstrel – to Miss Fanny Jeeves – details.